Electric generating system



A ril 23, 1935. H. F. CARPENTER 1,998,443

ELECTRIC GENERATING SYSTEM Filed Sept. 4, 1930 m um/ ma .4 A If M QQQ QSXXMQQ ATTORNEY Patented Apr. 23, 1935 I I I 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRIC GENERATING SYSTEM Howard Field Carpenter, White Plains, N. 1., as-

signor to Carpenter Automatic Electric Systems Company, Inc., White Plains, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application September 4, 1930, Serial No. 479,615

7 Claims. (Cl. 290-30) This invention relates to improvements in elecbattery. When the unit is stopped, the battery trical systems for automatically starting, 'rcgurecharging switch will re-set through the action lating, synchronizing and otherwise operating of a spring. and stopping alternating current electric generat- An important object of my invention is the 5 ing systems or units. arrangement of certain circuit closing switches 5 The invention therefore provides means for auor contacts to provide the proper sequence of tomatically operating two or more such units in action, viz. the turning on and ofi of the starting step or parallel, one of such units being made current from the battery, the opening of the fuel to automatically step in and out as the load conadmission valve, the closing of the exciter to the 10 nected to the main line varies in predetermined alternator prior to the closing of the alternator 10 degree. Such units may be disposed in proximate switch to the load line, the opening of the startor close position. ing current switch to the starting motor when the The invention also provides the elimination of engine starts running on fuel, the closing of the a large degree of manual attendance thereby realternator main load line switch at a moment ducing the cost of producing electric current. when its electrical condition is identical to that 16 The invention still further provides means for ofthe alternator or alternators, supplying current automatically starting a prime mover by rotating to the load line at that time, the placing in paralits crank shaft, in the proper direction, suilicientlel of the exciters then in operation, and finally ly to reach the required compression in its cylclosing the battery charging switch. I also pro- 20 inder or cylinders, and automatically opening and vide a time lag safety cut-out whereby in the event 0 closing a valve regulating the fuel supply and furthe incoming unit's engine fails to start running ther governing its speed of rotation through the after being cranked by the starting mechanism, action of a magnetic governor, working to assist the battery starting current will be cut of! from or oppose the mechanical governor, as load condithe starting motor and an alarm sounded. This tions fluctuate. I accomplish through the employment of a ther- 25 On the accompanying drawing 1 show, as a mostatic switch that will function to open the means of starting power, a storage battery and an battery starting current switch after the lapse of electric motor connected by chain drive through several minutes, the lag in its action being regua one direction over-run clutch to the engine lated by the amount of current admitted to its I crank shaft. 1 may also employ compressed air heater coil through a predetermined fixed resist- 30 as a means of rotating the crank shaft whereby ance. instead of switching battery current to the start- Another important object of my invention reing motor and later recharging the said battery, sides in the employment of fixed cam action I will open an inlet valve from the air storage switches, which when once set in the proper posiand automatically operate a compressor to restore tion, will make contact only when the respective 35 the air storage to proper power pressure. alternators are in the exact position of rotation.

A further object-of myinvention resides in the This effects the same result as that produced by provision of means whereby the storage or startthe alternators being rotated on the same shaft. ing battery may be recharged, and be automati- These cam action contactors are adjustable and cally disconnected from the charging current beare exactly set before the units are to be operfore it reaches a point of overcharge. This I 9.0- ated automatically. Such setting can be accomcomplish through the employment of a specially plished by determining the exact relative posiconstructed' relay switch, having a series and tions of the armatures of the alternators, through shunt coil so connected as to oppose each other the use of any of the well known methods in to the end the series coil will neutralize the effect common practice, such as the dark or brilliant of the shunt coil while battery charging current lamp system or the synchronoscope. is passing over it, but when the counter E. M. F. A further object of my invention resides in the of the battery is brought up to equal potential provision of means for preventing hunting" or with the impressed E. M. F. of the charging genhogging of the load by any of the alternators,

erator, charging current will cease to flow to the This I accomplish through the use of magnetic 50 battery and the series coil will be de-energized. governors, whose coils are inseries with the re- At this moment the shunt coil will have sufllcient spective alternator load lines, and whose cores power to draw the core or armature of the dual or armatures either aid or oppose the action of magnet coils into its windings, thus breaking the the mechanical governors on the engines as the contact between the charging generator and the load conditions fluctuate. 55

A still further object of my invention is 'the provision of means for insuring the same sequence of starting and stopping an incoming or outgoing alternator commensurate with the common rules of practice, viz., bringing the incoming alternator up to proper speed, sending into the fields of the incoming alternator the exciting current before closing the main load line switch and closing the latter at the proper moment when the electrical conditions of both the running and load carrying alternator and the incoming alternator are identical.

The invention also contemplates means for transversely opening the main load line switch of the outgoing alternator before the field excitation has been suspended. In this connection it is not necessary to first reduce the speed of the outgoing alternator so that the remaining alternators have assumed the full load, as the outgoing alternator will not be discontinued until the load' on the main line hasbeen reduced to the proper point.

Other objects will appear as I proceed with the full description and embodiment of the invention, which, for the purposes of the present invention, I have illustrated in the single figure of the accompanying drawing, showing a diagrammatic sketch of theapparatus and electrical connections embodying my invention.

In the drawing the heavy lines represent the alternating current circuits and the light lines the direct current circuits. A indicates an internal combustion engine of the Diesel type. 86 its flywheel contains a bolted flange clutch to the shaft of the alternator B which in turn is directly connected to the shaft of the D. C. exciter C. The exciter shaft extends through a fly-ball operated sliding contactorI-Iwith an adjustable spring ll-A opposing the movement of sleeve I4B upon which are key fastened discs J and Jl each having two insulated contact rings A and 20, and 2'l-A and 59A. Adjusted to two insulated bearing rods are shown eight spring switch contacts, four on each insulated rod and designated from left to right, at the top, as 43, I9, 21, and 59 respectively, and on the bottom as 44, 2!, 28 and 60 respectively. This is intended to illustrate a circuit closing and opening device, whereby as the speed of the shaft from the engine through the alternator and exciter increases, the fly-balls will be centrifugally thrown outward, and the sleeve ll-3B carrying the aforementioned discs J and J-l will be drawn in towards the fly-balls against whatever tension may be set on spring ll-A. On this same shaft, there is provided a bearing 13 and beyond it an adjustable cam K-l connected to an arm on which is a connecting rod K-2 engaged in a slide K. To the end of the connecting rod K2 and on the stud bolt working in a slot on the side of slide K, there is provided a spring switch contact K-3 while on the farther end of slide 1 K there is a second spring switch contact K-4, which is slightly adjustable, and is spaced at a distance slightly less than the full stroke of connecting rod K2 to permit of slightly more than a momentary contact between K-3 and K4.

' I also provide an electric starting motor D, a small chain sprocket on its shaft extension N, a chain having links spaced to engage the teeth of sprocket N, and on the engine crank shaft 'extension, 3, larger sprocket N-2 also fitted with teeth to engage in the links of chain Nl The large sprocket N2 is connected to the shaft of the engine A by means of an over-run clutch N-4 of any suitable construction. By means of this over-run clutch, the motor D may drive the shaft of said engine, but when the engine is rotating at a greater speed than said motor, the sprocket N-2 runs idly. The details of the over-run clutch form no part of the present invention, and

may be of any well-known standard construction.

A series magnet coil switch or solenoid'B in the load line 4 has a magnet coil which is wound with a predetermined number of ampere turns and which acts on its armature or core to close switch 1 when a predetermined current in amperes is flowing to the load. This switch 7 opens when a predetermined reduction in the flow of current amperes to the load is effected.

A magnet valve 0 is provided which when energized will open the fuel line to the engine andwhen de-energized will close such fuel line. 12 is a mechanical fly-ball governor and 5l-A a magnetic governor in series with the alternator load line, which will operate to either assist or oppose the mechanical governor on the engine A as the load increases or decreases. A thermostatic time lag switch L with a heating element 18 is designed to open the battery starting circuit in the event the engine fails to start properly when rotated by the starting motor, after the lapse of several minutes.

The distant or operating unit consists of an internal combustion engine a, an alternator b, an exciter c, a fiy-ball operated sliding sequence contactor h, and the cam operated timing contactors k-3 and 70-4 mounted on the slide k, the contactor Iii-3 being connected to the rod k-2 operated by the cam kl.

Let us assume that this operating unit is running and carrying whatever load F may be on the circuit consisting of wires I and 2, switch 3, wires 2 and '5, solenoid G, and coil 6, and let us assume that the unit A and associated members are at rest. Then if the load F is increased and the flow of current through coil 6 of solenoid G is sufficient to magnetize its armature or core to close switch I, current from batteryE will flow to the starting motor D as follows: From positive battery E over wire 8, coil 9 of magnet switch 15, wire In, wire H, through shank of thermostatic contactor L, spring switch 12, wire l3, coil 83 of magnet switch M, wire I4, wire H, blade 1 of series switch G, wire i5, and wire I8, to negative battery. Battery current passing through coil 83 of magnet switch M will magnetize its armature and close switch l1, and as switch 23 is rigidly connected to switch ll through an insulation, it will also close. Battery current will now flow to the starting motor and also the fuel magnet valve as follows: From positive battery E over wire 8, coil 9 of magnet wire l8, spring contactor l9, insulated contact ring of disc 20, spring contactor 2|, wire 22, to the positive terminal of the starting motor D, back over wire IE, to negative battery E. At the same time positive battery current on wire III will flow over wire H, wire 24, coil 85, fuel magnet switch 0, wire 25, blade 23 of switch M, wire 26, wire l4 carrying negative battery current over wires H, switch blade 1, wires l5and IE to negative battery E.

As battery current motors engine through sprocket N, chain Nl and one direction overrun clutch N-2 and N-l, a heavy inrush of current will close switch 76 of magnet switch 15 through series coil 9. On the closing of switch 15, positive battery current over wire Ill will flow switch 15, wire I0, across blade ll, of switch M,

lows: Positive battery E current now flows over" over wire I I and passing through heater element 18 will return through wire 'l3--A and fixed resistor I8--B, wire I1, blade 16 of series magnet switch 15, wire lG-M to negative battery over wire l6.

As the engine is motored to the starting point iiy-ball sliding contactor H begins placing tension on spring 'I4--A and as the speed of the engine is increased upon firing, sleeve "-3 upon which is keyed disc J, is drawn in towards the spring i4A so that contact between insulated ring 20 on disc J and contact springs i9 and 2| is broken and the battery motoring current to the starting motor is discontinued and the crank shaft of engine A' over runs the clutch N--4 of sprocket N-2.

In the event the engine fails to start upon motoring, and after a delay of approximately three to five minutes, the battery current through heater element I8 as impeded by resistor '|8-B, will sufficiently heat the shank of thermostatic switch L tocause it to bend away from spring switch I2 which will open the line to coil 83 of switch M and cause switches l1 and 23 to open, thus shutting off the motoring battery current to the starting motor D and also the current to the'magnet fuel valve 0. At the same time, once shank L is heated sufilcientlyto start bending, it will continue to bend until it has lifted insulated latch I9, and latch 19 will fall by gravity and lock the shank of switch L in the open position. Latch 19 will then be in metallic contact with the positive battery current on the shank of thermostatic switch L and current will pass over wire 8| through alarm siren or bell 82, wire 80, back to negative battery over wires, H, II, switch 1, wires l5 and I6. Once latch 19 falls behind shank L, it will remain in that position and the alarm will continue until re-set by hand. As battery current to the starting motor D is switched off, current to the heater element is also discontinued through the opening of switch 15 which opens when current ceases to. flow through series coil 9 of switch 15. I

As engine A continues to speed up, fiy-ball operated sliding contactor brings contact ring 21-A of disc J-l into electrical contact with contact springs 21 and 28 to excite alternator as follows; Positive battery E current flows over wire 29, wire 30, wire 3|, coil of exciter magnet switch 32, wire 33, to spring contact 23, contact ring 2'I-A of disc J--l to spring contact 21, wire 34, and wire l5 and I6 back to negative battery E.

Exciter switch 35 is now closed and the fields of the alternator B are excited and the two exciters C and c are placed in parallel. Exciter being partly loaded at the time, it will be of practically the same voltage as exciter C, which is now being rotated almost up to speed. This action is as follows: With the closing of exciter switch 35, positive exciter C current now flows over wire 39, switch blade 39-A, wire 38 to alternator fields, back over wire 31, switch blade 3I-A, wire 36 to negative exciter. Exciter c is placed in parallel with wire 39, switch blade 39--A, wire 38, wire 42, wire 4|, switch blade 4fl-A and wires 40 and 36. Thus both alternators C and c are being evenly excited. M

As the engine A reaches equal speed with engine a which has been prearranged bythe careful setting of governor l2, fly-ball sliding contactor H, causes ring 90-A of disc J to come into electrical contact with spring contacts 43 and 44 to close the main line switch 54 of alternator B, as 01- wire 29, wire 30, to spring contact k-4, on cam operated contactors (shown at 180 degrees) and contact is made with spring contactor k-3 at each revolution oi'cam 70-4 at an exact position of the armature of alternator b. When this contact is made current may flow over wire 49 to contactor K4 which also make contact with K-3 when the armature of alternator B is in an exact position of rotation. When this contact is made current may flow over wire 50 through coil 53.0f alternator main switch, wire spring contactor 44, contact ring Bil-A of disc J, spring contact 43, wire 52 to single pole double throw switch'P, wire ll-A, wire ll, blade I of solenoid G, wire l5 and wire l6, back to negative battery E.

The electrical contacts across contact ring Bil-A of disc J and across blade of solenoidv switch blade 1, remain closed and the moment of energizing the coil 53 of the alternator main switch now depends on the s multaneous closing of the contacts on the K k cam contactors. When these close approximately simultaneously (all have spring contacts that permit of a slight pause as the cams pass their dead centers) switch 53 will close and both the alternators will be in parallel, and at the exact moment, only, can the circuit to switch 54 be completed.

Cam K and It must be previously exactly set to close their contacts when each alternator armature is in the same position of rotation. This can be accomplished through one of any of the known means of synchronizing two or more alternators. The brilliant or dark lamp method or any suitable synchronoscope may be employed, but once set, no further adjustment is necessary and in the drawing the two K k cam closing contactors are shown in series to further illustrate the invention.

With the clos ng of switch 54, sustaining current for coil 53 is supplied through switch 55. This switch 55 is closed at the same moment as switch 54 because cam contactors would otherwise break the circuit to coil 53 and permit switch 54 to open again. The alternators B and b there- 'fore will remain in parallel until solenoid 6 permits switch I to open thereby opening the current in coil 53.-

Both altemators B and b are now in parallel, both exciters are in parallel, and both magnetic governors are in parallel. This arrangement is designed to prevent hunting or hogging by either alternator.

In order to provide means for recharging the battery E I have provided a relay with a series and shunt coil on the same armature, the action of which is as follows: When charging current is running to the battery through the series coil 64, the action of the shunt coil 63 is neutralized, the series coil 54 is also aided by a spring 65 that tends to hold the switch in a closed position. As the battery is charged, its counter E. M. F. builds up and when it equals the impressed E. M. F. of the charging generator, current ceases to flow through the series coil 65 and the shunt coil 68 has suflicient power to open the switch 65 against the engine while accelerating to speed cycle, brings contact ring 59-A of J-l in electrical contact with spring contacts 59 and 60. Therefore current flows to the shunt coil 68 of the battery switch 65, energizing coil 68 as follows: Positive exciter current over wire 39, wire 6|, switch .62, wire 61, shunt coil 68, wire 69, spring contactor 60, contact ring of disc JI, 59-A, spring contact 59, wire 10, wire H, switch 1, wires l5, wire 16, wire I6-A, and wire 36 back to negative pole of exciter C.

Single pole double throw switch P is provided for manual starting of unit by by-passing switch I, and opening the circuit to alternator switch 53 to prevent alternator B from being connected to the load line. This is accomplished by throwing the blade of switch P, from X over to Y, thus disconnecting wires 52 and Ii-A.

' Switches 3 and 3i are manually operated to disconnect either or both alternators from the load line, and are normally closed during automatic action of these units.

When solenoid G has a predetermined decreased current through its coil 6, switch I will open and alternator switch 53 will open both switches 54 and 55, fuel valve 85 will shut off the engine fuel and as the engine slows down, current to the exciter switch will be opened, thus cutting off the parallel connection to the other exciter, and discontinue the battery charging current (it it has not been previously cut) through the actionof fly-ball slide contactor H.

Main alternator switch 54 may be of the oil type on heavy current use to prevent arcing on making and breaking contact.

I am aware that the particular embodiment of my invention above described, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, is susceptible of considerable variation without departing from the spirit thereof, and therefore I desire to claim as my invention broadly, as well as specifically, as indicated by the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An electric generating system, including a first alternator operatively connected to a current power line circuit, a second alternator, a combustion engine operatively connected to said second alternator, means including a current responsive switch in said current power line circuit for automatically cranking said combustion engine and introducing fuel therein when the load on said circuit has exceeded a predetermined amount, and means for stepping in said second alternator into the circuit when said first and second alternators are running in phase.

21 An electric generating system including a first alternator connected to a current power line circuit, a second alternator, means operable when the load on said circuit has exceeded a predetermined amount for accelerating the speed of said second alternator, a second electric circuit having a switch which is automatically closed when said second alternator reaches a predetermined speed, said second circuit including a pair of switches, each of said switches being operated by one of said alternators, and intermittently closed in accordance with the speed of its associated alternator, said intermittently operated switches being so adjusted that both of said switches will be closed at the same time when the two alternators-are in the same phase position, and a switch operable when said second circuit is closed, for stepping said second alternator into said power line circuit.

3. An electric generator including a first alternator connected to a current power line circuit, a second alternator, a prime mover operatively connected to said second alternator, an auxiliary power member for initiating the operation of said prime mover, means for starting said auxiliary power member for initiating the operation of said prime mover, means for automatically stopping the operation of said auxiliary prime mover upon the failure of said second alternator to attain a predetermined speed a predetermined time after the operation of said auxiliary power means has been initiated, and means for stepping said second alternator into said circuit in phase with said first alternator after said second alternator has attained a predetermined speed.

4. An electric generator including a first alternator connected to a current power line circuit, a second alternator, an internal combustion engine operatively connected to said second alternator, a motor for cranking said engine, means for automatically closing the motor circuit to start said motor, for initiating the operation 01 said engine, means for automatically opening said motor circuit upon the failure of said second alternator to attain a predetermined speed a predetermined time after the operation of said motor has been initiated, and means for stepping said second alternator into said circuit in phase with said first alternator after said second alternator has attained a predetermined speed.

5. An electric generating system including a first alternator connected to a current power line circuit, a second alternator, a prime mover operatively connected to said second alternator, means for starting said prime mover, an electric circuit including a switch having a movable contact member movable in accordance with the speed of said prime mover to close said switch when said prime mover has attained a predetermined speed, a pair of switches in said last mentioned circuit, each of which is operated by one of said alternators, and intermittently closed in accordance with the speed of its associated alternator, said last mentioned switches being so adjusted that both of them will be closed at the same time when the two alternators are in the same phase position, whereby said second circuit will be closed in that position, and a switch operated when said last mentioned circuit is closed, for stepping said second alternator into said current power line circuit.

6. An electric generating system including a first alternator connected to a current power line circuit, a second alternator, a prime mover operatively connected to said second alternator, auxiliary power means including an electric motor for starting the operation of said prime mover, means for automatically starting said motor by closing its circuit when the load on said power line circuit has exceeded a predetermined amount, the the motor circuit including a switch having a contact member which is movable in accordance with the speed of said prime mover, and which when said prime mover is inactive, is in position to close said switch, said movable contact member being actuated in response to the speed of said prime mover to open said switch, when said prime mover has attained a predetermined speed, whereby said motor is stopped, and means for stepping said second alternator into said circuit when said second alternator has attained the same phase relationship as said first alternator.

'1. An electric generating system including a first alternator operatively connected to a current power line circuit, a second alternator, a prime mover operatively connected to said second alternator, auxiliary power means including an electric motor for starting the operation of said prime mover, means for automatically starting said motor by closing its circuit when the load on said circuit has exceeded a predetermined amount, the motor circuit including a switch having a contact member which is movable in accordance with the speed of said prime mover, and which when said prime mover is inactive, is in position to close said switch, said movable contact member being actuated in response to the speed of said prime mover to open said switch when said prime mover has attained a predetermined speed, whereby said motor is stopped when said prime mover has attained a predetermined speed, means for connecting the exciters of both of said alternators in parallel when said prime mover has attained a predetermined speed, an electric circuit including a pair of switches, each of which is operated by one of said alternators, and intermittently closed in accordance with the'speed of its associated alternatorssaid switches being so positioned that both will be closed at the same time when the two alternators are in the same phase position, said last mentioned circuit including another switch having a contact member movable in accordancewith the speed of said second alternator, and movable to close said last mentioned switch when said second alternator has attained a predetermined speed, whereby said last mentioned circuit will be closed, and a switch operated by said last mentioned circuit to step said second alternator into said first mentioned current power line circuit in phase with said first alternator.

HOWARD FIELD CARPENTER. 

